Buyer Guide
Best Home Service Franchises: Plumbing, HVAC, Roofing & More
The 15 best home service franchise brands ranked by revenue and SBA data. Service Experts leads at $6.3M with 0% defaults on 81 loans. Category charge-off rate: 19.6%.
The best home service franchises in 2026 generate some of the highest revenue-to-investment ratios in all of franchising. Based on FranchiseVerdict's analysis of FDD data and SBA loan performance for 353 home services franchise brands, the top performers include Service Experts ($6.3M avg revenue, 0% SBA defaults on 81 loans), Benjamin Franklin Plumbing ($3.1M, 0% on 46 loans), and Superior Fence & Rail ($3.0M, 0% on 55 loans). The home services category has a 19.6% SBA charge-off rate — well below the franchise-wide average of 23.1%.
Why home services franchises work
Home services is the category that franchise consultants rarely push, because the referral fees are lower than restaurants. But the data consistently shows it outperforms most other categories. The reasons are structural:
- Essential, non-deferrable demand. A leaking roof, a burst pipe, a broken garage door, or a failing HVAC system cannot wait. Homeowners pay regardless of the economy.
- Low fixed overhead. Most home services franchises operate from a small warehouse, garage, or home office. No retail lease, no expensive build-out.
- Recurring revenue. Maintenance contracts for HVAC, pools, lawns, and pest control create predictable monthly income.
- Skilled labor moat. Licensed plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians are in short supply. A franchise system that can recruit and retain skilled tradespeople has a genuine competitive advantage.
- Territory-based scaling. Revenue grows with crew size, not store count. Adding one truck and two technicians can add $500K–$1M in annual revenue without a new lease.
Top 15 home service franchises by revenue and risk
The following table ranks home services franchise brands that disclose revenue data, sorted by FranchiseVerdict's composite risk score (lower is better).
| Brand | Avg. Revenue | Investment | Royalty | SBA Default | SBA Loans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Experts | $6.3M | $146K–$285K | 6% | 0% | 81 |
| Benjamin Franklin Plumbing | $3.1M | $129K–$270K | 6% | 0% | 46 |
| Superior Fence & Rail | $3.0M | $134K–$278K | 6% | 0% | 55 |
| Lifetime Green Coatings | $2.2M | $117K–$478K | — | 0% | 26 |
| Groovy Hues Paint | $1.1M | $158K–$204K | — | 0% | 78 |
| Ideal Siding | $951K | $73K–$112K | — | 0% | 1 |
| ASP Pool Company | $852K | $84K–$210K | 7% | 0% | 60 |
| GarageExperts | $632K | $94K–$226K | 6% | 0% | 12 |
| Made in the Shade Blinds | $624K | $78K–$108K | — | 0% | 29 |
| uBreakiFix by Asurion | $612K | $171K–$468K | 7% | 0% | 62 |
| Jet-Black | $584K | $95K–$174K | — | 0% | 11 |
| HomeSmiles | $584K | $148K–$202K | — | 0% | 26 |
| ManageMowed | $487K | $207K–$334K | 8% | 0% | 10 |
| TruBlue Home Service Ally | $438K | $70K–$96K | — | 0% | 24 |
| Footprints Floors | $814K | $80K–$114K | — | — | — |
The plumbing, HVAC, and electrical tier
Licensed trades — plumbing, HVAC, and electrical — represent the highest-revenue tier of home services franchising. Service Experts (HVAC) leads at $6.3M per territory, and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing follows at $3.1M. Both are part of the Authority Brands family, which also operates Mr. Electric ($6.6M revenue, 9.6% SBA default rate on 136 loans).
The trade-off: these franchises require access to licensed tradespeople. You do not need to be a plumber yourself, but you need to recruit and retain them — and that is the biggest operational challenge in this tier. The franchisors typically provide recruiting support, training systems, and call center services to help, but the labor market for skilled trades is genuinely tight.
The accessible tier: under $150K
For buyers without trade licenses or large capital reserves, several home services franchises offer entry under $150K:
- TruBlue Home Service Ally ($70K–$96K) — handyman services for aging homeowners, $438K revenue, 0% defaults on 24 loans
- Ideal Siding ($73K–$112K) — siding installation and replacement, $951K revenue, new system with limited SBA history
- Made in the Shade Blinds ($78K–$108K) — window coverings, $624K revenue, 0% defaults on 29 loans
- Footprints Floors ($80K–$114K) — floor installation, $814K revenue, newer system building its track record
- ASP Pool Company ($84K–$210K) — pool maintenance, $852K revenue, 0% defaults on 60 loans
These brands do not require specialized trade licenses. They typically use subcontractors or hire general laborers, making them accessible to first-time franchise buyers from non-trade backgrounds.
What to look for in a home service franchise
- Territory size and exclusivity. Home services franchises assign geographic territories. Check FDD Item 12 for territory size, exclusivity, and whether the franchisor can place another franchisee in your area. Larger, exclusive territories command higher fees but offer more growth runway.
- Lead generation support. The franchisor's marketing and call center capabilities directly affect your revenue ramp. Ask existing franchisees whether the franchisor generates quality leads or whether you need to build your own marketing engine.
- Seasonal patterns. Some home services are seasonal (pool maintenance, holiday lighting, lawn care), which creates revenue volatility. Understand the seasonal pattern in your target market before investing.
- Check our screener to filter home services brands by investment, revenue, and risk score. Then use the comparison tool to stack your finalists side-by-side.
Methodology
Revenue figures are from FDD Item 19 disclosures. Investment ranges are from FDD Item 7. SBA charge-off rates are from SBA 7(a) loan data obtained through FOIA. Brands categorized as "Home Services" in our database are included. Rankings are by FranchiseVerdict's composite risk score (lower is better), filtered to brands with Item 19 revenue disclosures. For the full methodology, see the methodology page.
The bottom line
Home services is the most recession-resistant franchise category in the data. Roofs leak in recessions. HVAC systems fail in bear markets. Plumbing emergencies do not wait for GDP growth. The 19.6% SBA charge-off rate — below the 23.1% franchise average — reflects this structural resilience. If you want a franchise that does not depend on discretionary consumer spending, home services is where the data points.
Related franchise research
Continue your research with our 7-Eleven franchise analysis, Ace Hardware franchise analysis, and best food franchises guide.
Research this brand further
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- 📞 Get verified franchisee contacts — $49 per brand. Call real owners before you sign.
- 📊 Compare all home service franchise brands with our profitability report — $99.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best home service franchise?
- Based on revenue and SBA performance data, the top home service franchises include Service Experts ($6.3M avg revenue, 0% SBA defaults on 81 loans), Benjamin Franklin Plumbing ($3.1M, 0% on 46 loans), and Superior Fence & Rail ($3.0M, 0% on 55 loans). For lower budgets, ASP Pool Company ($852K on $84K-$210K investment, 0% on 60 loans) and TruBlue ($438K on $70K-$96K, 0% on 24 loans) are strong options.
- How much does a home service franchise cost?
- Home service franchise costs range from $70K (TruBlue Home Service Ally) to $478K (Lifetime Green Coatings). The median investment for a home services franchise in our database is approximately $150K-$250K. Most home services franchises cost significantly less than restaurant or retail concepts because they don't require a retail build-out — they operate from a small office, warehouse, or home.
- Are home service franchises profitable?
- Yes, home services franchises are among the most capital-efficient in franchising. The category has a 19.6% SBA charge-off rate (below the 23.1% franchise average), and top brands generate $1M-$6M in revenue on investments under $300K. The revenue-to-investment ratios in home services (10x-75x) far exceed those in food or retail franchising. Profitability depends on territory size, local demand, and your ability to recruit and manage field crews.
- Do I need a trade license to own a home service franchise?
- Not necessarily. Many home service franchises — pool maintenance (ASP), handyman services (TruBlue), window coverings (Made in the Shade), flooring (Footprints Floors), and garage coatings (GarageExperts) — don't require the owner to hold a trade license. For plumbing, HVAC, and electrical franchises, you typically need to employ licensed technicians but don't need the license yourself. Check your state's requirements and the FDD's Item 15 for licensing details.
- How does seasonality affect home service franchise revenue?
- Seasonality varies significantly by sub-category. Pool maintenance (ASP Pool Company) peaks in spring and summer, lawn care (ManageMowed) slows in winter, and holiday lighting (Christmas Decor) is entirely Q4-driven. HVAC and plumbing franchises like Service Experts and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are less seasonal because emergency repairs happen year-round. FDD Item 19 revenue figures are annual averages, so ask franchisees about their monthly revenue variance — some operators report 60-70% of annual revenue concentrated in just four to five months.